MCSA and MCSE on Windows Server 2012 Info

Slowhand

With the release candidate of Windows Server 2012 coming out, Microsoft has finally announced their next generation of certifications:

Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA)

Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE)

While these acronyms should look familiar to anyone who holds the older Windows Server NT 4.0, 2000, or 2003 certifications, Microsoft has taken the new MCSE in a couple of different directions. Like the MCITP title from the last generation of Microsoft technologies, the new MCSE will focus on several different platforms, not just Windows Server 2012.

What's Changed

Microsoft has made a change to the MCITP: Server Administrator certification, changing the name to MCSA: Windows Server 2008.* Until March 31st of 2013, passing the required exams earns you both the MCSA 2008 and MCITP: SA titles. After that date, you will only be able to earn the MCSA 2008 title. The required exams remain the same and the certification is still valid as long as Windows Server 2008 is supported by Microsoft:

70-640 - Windows Server 2008 Active Directory, Configuring
70-642 - Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure, Configuring
70-646 - Windows Server 2008, Server Administrator

*(Those who hold the MCITP: Enterprise Administrator certification are also awarded the MCSA: Windows Server 2008 title.)

Starting July 31st, 2013, most MCITP certifications are being retired. This includes MCITP: Enterprise Administrator, along with the desktop support certs on Vista and Windows 7: MCITP Certifications

Please note, while most MCITP certifications are scheduled to retire in 2013, many MCITP-generation exams are going to continue to be offered, including 70-680 (Windows 7, Configuring) and the three exams required for MCSA: Windows Server 2008, as described above. Keep an eye on the Exams Scheduled for Retirement page of the Certification Lifecycle section of Microsoft.com for announcements on any exams that are being discontinued or changed.

What's New

As further developments from Microsoft are announced, this thread will be updated and revised to reflect any changes or new content. For more information on the new features of this operating system, a good place to start is the TechNet Library for Windows Server 2012. The following posts give further details on the new MCSA and MCSE tracks.

Slowhand

Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA)

MCSA: Windows Server 2012
This cert requires three exams and is considered by Microsoft as a "foundation for a career in IT". This certification requires no renewal exams and remains current as long as Windows Server 2012 is supported by Microsoft:

70-410 - Installing and Configuring Windows Server 2012
70-411 - Administering Windows Server 2012
70-412 - Configuring Advanced Windows Server 2012 Services

There is also a single upgrade exam, 70-417, which can be taken by anyone who holds any of the following certs:

MCSA: Windows Server 2008
MCITP: Virtualization Administrator
MCITP: Enterprise Messaging Administrator
MCITP: Lync Server Administrator
MCITP: SharePoint Administrator
MCITP: Enterprise Desktop Administrator

Slowhand

Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE)

Microsoft is continuing the multi-platform theme of the MCITP generation of certifications with the new MCSE tracks. There are several paths, but we will be primarily discussing those related directly to Windows Server 2012 in this thread. At this time, Microsoft requires MCSE holders to re-certify every three years. From the information Microsoft has given, this is presumably because the certification title(s) will not change in future releases of the technologies covered, and an upgrade exam can most likely be taken in place of a re-cert exam.

MCSE: Server Infrastructure
This certification focuses on advanced configuration and network design with Windows Server 2012, and is the presumed successor to the old MCSE and MCITP: Enterprise Administrator certs:

MCSA: Windows Server 2012 (Prerequisite)
70-413 - Designing and Implementing a Server Infrastructure
70-414 - Implementing an Advanced Server Infrastructure


MCSE: Desktop Infrastructure
This track focuses on desktop administration with Windows 8 in an enterprise environment, much like MCITP: Enterprise Desktop Administrator certification on Windows 7:

MCSA: Windows Server 2012 (Prerequisite)
70-415 - Implementing a Desktop Infrastructure
70-416 - Implementing Desktop Application Environments


MCSE: Private Cloud
Microsoft has announced a new certification which focuses on managing a 'private cloud' - applications and services spread across multiple servers, or even in a cluster - with a single management interface. This certification focuses on the use of Microsoft System Center 2012 for management:

MCSA: Windows Server 2008 (Prerequisite) / MCSA: Windows Server 2012 (Prerequisite)
70-247 - Configuring and Deploying a Private Cloud with System Center 2012
70-246 - Monitoring and Operating a Private Cloud with System Center 2012


MCSE: Data Platform

MCSA: SQL Server 2012 (Prerequisite)
70-464 - Developing Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Databases
70-465 - Designing Database Solutions for Microsoft SQL Server 2012


MCSE: Business Intelligence

MCSA: SQL Server 2012 (Prerequisite)
70-466 - Implementing Data Models and Reports with Microsoft SQL Server 2012
70-467 - Designing Business Intelligence Solutions with Microsoft SQL Server 2012


MCSE: Messaging

MCSA: Windows Server 2012 (Prerequisite)
70-341 - Core Solutions of Microsoft Exchange Server 2013
70-342 - Advanced Solutions of Microsoft Exchange Server 2013


MCSE: Communication

MCSA: Windows Server 2012 (Prerequisite)
70-336 - Core Solutions of Microsoft Lync Server 2013
70-337 - Enterprise Voice & Online Services with Microsoft Lync Server 2013


MCSE: SharePoint

MCSA: Windows Server 2012 (Prerequisite)
70-331 - Core Solutions of Microsoft SharePoint Server 2013
70-332 - Advanced Solutions of Microsoft SharePoint Server 2013




At the time of this writing, there is no direct upgrade-path from MCITP: Enterprise Administrator to MCSE: Server Infrastructure, or any of the other new MCSE tracks. If you hold any of the qualifying certifications, taking exam 70-417 will earn you MCSA: Windows Server 2012, and you are required to sit for the remaining two exams in order to become MCSE certified.

Slowhand

I'm also proud to announce that, with this inaugural thread, TechExams.net has a brand-new section added to our Microsoft forums: MCSA / MCSE Windows 2012 General

Also, check out the new Windows 8 forum, as well as the info page for exam 70-687: Configuring Windows 8

pumbaa_g

Yipee!!

I am still studying for 70-643 & 70-680 and trying to complete both by end of this month . Hopefully by August I will be completing MCITP: EA.

That will leave me just enough time to get ready for 70-417 and 70-687 to get MCSA 2012 and Windows 8 Certified by end of this year.

2012 certified in 2012

Please keep updating material for 2012 and Windows 8 and share any experience whosoever is giving the Beta exams. That would really help all of us lesser mortals on this path.

Thanks for your info!

Slowhand

This is from another thread in this new forum, for anyone interested in hitting the ground running with Windows Server 2012:

cyberguypr wrote: »

Registration is open for this event. I've always found the Jump Start series events very helpful.

Leveraging the popular “Jump Start” virtual classroom approach, Microsoft Senior Technical Evangelist Rick Claus and Microsoft Partner Corey Hynes will walk you through their personal favorite feature sets while answering why and how each one will have a positive impact on improving your day-to-day IT environment. These accelerated, engaging and demo-heavy sessions are guaranteed to get you excited and ready to try them yourself.

Windows Server 2012 Jump Start Details

Course: “Windows Server 2012: Preparing for the Datacenter Evolution”
Date/Time: June 20-21, 2012 from 9:00am – 4:00pm PST
Where: Live virtual classroom (online from wherever you are)
Cost: FREE!
Target audience: IT Professionals and IT Decision Makers


Microsoft Certified Community Connection Registration

Slowhand

Another great link to some information from the source:

NetworkingStudent wrote: »

In this video, live from TechEd 2012, Krista Wall, Certification Product Manager at Microsoft Learning talks about the new MCSE certifications and how the new exams are changing. Krista explains how the new MCSE certifications are meant to increase the rigor and relevance of Microsoft certifications and how the exams are more challenging than ever before.

Learn how Microsoft is raising the bar with their new certifications and how the changes impact current and aspiring IT professionals working with Microsoft technologies.



MCSE - Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert Exams

I’m sure a similar article was posted before, but I like how they added pictures/video to give you a better idea of some of the changes.

hostingbadger

Any recommendations on alternate self-study?

pumbaa_g

As of now there are few 2012 books in the market and some more to be released in the coming months but majority is Technet and the Introduction to 2012 ebook which is free. Apart from that try Microsoft Virtual Academy which has a ton of videos for 2012 (also free) In case you hear anything otherwise please share

Slowhand

As long as you have some background in Windows Server 2008, or even Windows Server 2003, it's very doable to pass the upgrade exam or even the full MCSA 2012 path by reading through the Windows Server 2012 TechNet articles. There's also a book out that goes into the new features of Windows Server 2012, which many have found to be useful: Free ebook: Introducing Windows Server 2012 (RTM Edition) - Microsoft Press - Site Home - MSDN Blogs

cyberguypr

The JumpStart session for 70-417 is coming on 10/23. These sessions are very useful and include live Q&A.

Upgrading Skills to Windows Server 2012 Jumpstart

This course is designed for IT Pros who want to upgrade their technical skills from Windows Server 2008 R2 to Windows Server 2012. It is an accelerated course that covers five days of content and labs in two days without labs – clearly the instructor team presumes a high level of knowledge about previous Windows Server versions and will move quickly.

There's also the 2012 Early Experts Group: TechNet Blogs

Slowhand

I updated the thread to reflect all the new MCSE paths available, I will be putting up all the MCSA certs very soon. There's a lot to cover here and hopefully this thread is helpful to anyone confused about the new certs or what direction to go.

I'll also be posting any updates as they come down the pipeline from Microsoft.

Devilsbane

Slowhand wrote: »

Microsoft has made a change to the MCITP: Server Administrator certification, changing the name to MCSA: Windows Server 2008.* Until March 31st of 2013, passing the required exams earns you both the MCSA 2008 and MCITP: SA titles. After that date, you will only be able to earn the MCSA 2008 title. The required exams remain the same and the certification is still valid as long as Windows Server 2008 is supported by Microsoft:

70-640 - Windows Server 2008 Active Directory, Configuring
70-642 - Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure, Configuring
70-646 - Windows Server 2008, Server Administrator

*(Those who hold the MCITP: Enterprise Administrator certification are also awarded the MCSA: Windows Server 2008 title.)

Starting July 31st, 2013, most MCITP certifications are being retired. This includes MCITP: Enterprise Administrator, along with the desktop support certs on Vista and Windows 7

Slowhand, the date is July 31st 2013, they must have moved it back. Windows Server Certification | Microsoft Learning

And it looks like the MCITP desktop certs on windows 7 are available until January 31st 2014.
Windows 7, Configuring

DominicT

Hi there,

Great thread thank you for the info.

I am currently studying the windows server 2012 server installation and configuration exam. I have already gone through all the material over the last 6 months.

I have been looking for a list of all the web services and infrastructure services for windows server 2012. Like DHCP/DNS being infastructure services. But I cannot find a list of all the web/program and infrastructure services. I want to get these so I can learn them for the exam.

Thanks for your help,

Rkdrummer20

It is also a good idea to go through Practice tests and Exam **** from exam point of view. It helps to summarize all knowledge and helps in quick revision before the exam.

nachodba

Please don't condone using ****. All it does is cheapen the value of actually having the certification.

cyberguypr

Public Service Announcement of the day:

Rkdrummer20, that is not how we roll here. We work hard for our certs using approparite study methods and really learning the material. **** are nothing but stolen intellectual property. By using those you devalue the cert and yourself. If you keep promoting htem you'll get bad rep in the blink of an eye.

teflonjohn15

Got my ass handed to me today on 70-412, 650/700 have a second shot for next week anyone got any advice? tips?

sys_teck

Hi guys/gals

What book or e-book and author you would recommend for MCSA/MCSE Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2

your feedback is appreciated.

lucashgarcia

Hello there,

Anyone have tips for me? I'm planning to take the 70-342 exam in 15 days, could anyone please give me some useful tips about the topics that i really need to focus on this exam?
Thanks!